It is possible to become deceived (Mark 13:5-6; 2 Peter 3:17). Repeated warnings were given to the early church to warn against a coming falling away (Acts 20:28-30; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Mark 13:5-6: “And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: for many shall come in […]
In the Spring of 1994, I took a philosophy class titled, “Interpretation and Translation” in which I was exposed to a theory known as “Reader-Response Criticism.” This theory suggests that the meaning of any particular text is not so much what the author originally intended as much as what the reader personally experiences when reading […]
“LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? . . . He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” (Psalm 15:1, 4) In the year 2000 I lost my job at EDS and began searching for employment. I picked up some part time work in the interim. […]
“It’s so easy to become narrow minded. So easy to become triumphalist in our own approach in our own religion that to be aware of the way that God expresses Himself in so many languages is essential to becoming Christian” – Preacher, The Church of Conscious Harmony I heard the above statement on an audio […]
The problem has been vexing me for the past two months. I thought about it while traveling, searching for a house, and even while eating Thanksgiving dinner. What am I going to write in the bulletin? What am I going to say on the last day? What words of spiritual support and advice can I […]
The picture showed multiple columns of smoke billowing into great clouds of flame, ash, and dust behind what would typically be considered a sprawling urban neighborhood with houses lined up one after another. In the distance a helicopter could be seen flying in front of the roiling tumult showing the magnitude of the raging fiery […]
In the late 1970s and early 1980s the bus ministry was a really strong work among churches of Christ. On many of the buses would be a sign that said, “J.O.Y.” It didn’t take long to learn that J.O.Y. stood for Jesus-Others-You. “Jesus first, others second, yourself last” was the popular mantra. It was a […]
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). To be in Christ is to be different from what we were before we were in Christ. What one was before being in Christ is “old” and what one […]
SUBJECT: Adversity
TITLE: How do you handle bad news?
PROPOSITION: To study what the Bible teaches regarding how to handle bad news.
OBJECTIVE: That each would know these Bible principles so that when bad news come his way that he will be able to manage it.
INTRODUCTION:
“The Good Father” God spoke well of Abraham and called him a good father to his family (Genesis 18). He gives us an example today of what a good father is and how fathers are to be. In following his example we seek to understand a good father through him. Abraham was a good father […]
Part 1 When we think about the word “missions” what naturally comes to our mind are specific works (primarily in other countries) in which the church participates by either contributing funds or sending individuals to be involved. The Latin root behind the English word “mission” simply meant “to send.” In the secular sense, the word […]
On the morning of July 4th, 1776, the founding fathers signed the declaration of independence. Later on that same day, a British armada carrying some 34,000 British soldiers began landing on Staten Island where Lt. Gen. Sir William Howe made his headquarters. On August 22nd, the British began preparing to cross from Staten Island to […]
Listen Date written: April 21st, 2007Scripture ref: Acts 8:5-12 SUBJECT: Salvation TITLE: Conversion Accounts – Samaritans PROPOSITION: In the conversion of the Samaritans, there was a 1) Proclamation, 2) Previous Practice, 3) Penitence and Profession, 4) Preservation. Objectives: That we would know what the Bible teaches regarding true conversion and faithfulness. INTRODUCTION: 1. Read: Acts […]
Listen Date written: April 7th, 2007Scripture ref: Psalm 22:11-21 SUBJECT: Jesus TITLE: The Hand That Was Wounded PROPOSITION: The hand that was wounded 1) Brought compassion, mercy, and forgiveness, 2) Bled for the sins of the world, 3) Broke the bondage of sin, 4) Binds us together in brotherhood. OBJECTIVE: That each would appreciate what […]
Listen Date written: March 31st, 2007Scripture ref: 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 SUBJECT: Christian Growth TITLE: Milk and Meat PROPOSITION: When considering milk and meat we notice 1) the content of milk and meat is similar, 2) the consistency of milk and meat are different, 3) the consumption of milk and meat is different as well. OBJECTIVE: […]
Romans 14:1 in the NIV says, “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” The ESV reads, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” The ASV says, “But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of […]
Listen Date written: March 17th, 2007 Scripture ref: John 20:26-28 SUBJECT: Jesus TITLE: Jesus Is Lord PROPOSITION: That Jesus is Lord means that Jesus is the One Who 1) Controls all things, 2) Was Crowned with Glory and Honor, and 3) Commands my Allegiance. OBJECTIVE: That each understand the significance of the fact that Jesus […]
Some battles in life are fought and instantly won; passing tests, playing games, solving a puzzle in the newspaper, or winning at a sporting event. We preoccupy ourselves with these “battles” because they give us instantaneous gratification and bring us a measure of pleasure and self assurance. Some battles are fought for a while and […]
Listen Date written: March 11th, 2007Scripture ref: Exodus 20:1-17 The First and Second Commandments – Idolatry SUBJECT: Idolatry TITLE: The Ten Commandments #1 and #2. PROPOSITION: In this lesson we will look at the first and second commandments. Objectives: That we would be familiar with the ten commandments and know more about them and specifically […]
“The Old and New Testaments” Many do not understand the differences between the Old and the New Testaments. In this lesson those differences will be explained. Between the Old Testament and the New, there is a difference of 1) Scope of People, 2) Their Relationship to the Cross, 3) Purpose. Each person should be able […]